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Pasco Letters to the Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 12, 2008

Keep Flipping Locally

The Flapjack Festival needs to stay in Land O' Lakes! If that means it can't grow bigger, or if it means it needs to downsize, do it.

I have lived in Land O' Lakes since 1961. I went to Sanders Elementary School through the ninth grade; then we were bused to Dade City. The reason I mention this is because back in the day, we were the outsiders - "Lakers" we were called in a derogatory manner, which we later took pride in.

There were many arguments and fights; we would even schedule unorganized football games against each other, alternating between Land O' Lakes and Dade City. These games usually looked more like what is now known as the WWF, but it was our way of making a name for ourselves.
Dade City folks didn't like us, and we surely did not like them!

I was a part of the first graduating class in Dade City, when the high school moved to the hill outside of town in 1971. I can tell you that my last year there, even the city police seemed to take exception to us. I seemed to get pulled over once a week, for a license-check or some other excuse.

Or maybe it was my VW van with the big yellow daisies on the side that bothered them the most.

You can ask any of the other "Lakers" who have lived, worked and raised families here, and I am going to guess most will follow in my sentiments: The Land O' Lakes Flapjack Festival needs to stay in Land O' Lakes! If it moves to Dade City, it will eventually be gobbled up by Dade City and/or Pasco County, then renamed "The Pasco County Fairgrounds Flapjack Festival at Dade City."

I don't care; I won't go.

EDDIE JENKINS

Land O' Lakes

'Hometown Festival'

I think moving the Land O' Lakes Flapjack Festival to Dade City is an absolutely terrible idea. For the residents of LOL, it will be too far to travel and will definitely not hold the same appeal of our hometown festival.

What a shame!

LORI TINDALL

Connerton

Let Them Grieve

Regarding "Crash Kills 2 From Wesley Chapel High," May 6:

I am the parent of a Wesley Chapel teen. First, let me say I did not know Tabitha Pastrana and Kristin Gaskin, and being a parent I could not imagine what I would do if something happened to my son. My heart and prayers go out to these two families.

Having said that, I must say over the last few years, between Weightman Middle School and Wesley Chapel High, we have had our share of teen accidents and deaths. I find it totally appalling that every time these students lose a peer, TV news crews pull up in front of the school trying to recruit the teens into conversation.

I understand an accident is news; however, isn't it enough that they are grieving for a friend, a peer, a brother or a sister? Come on, give these kids a break! They are dealing with enough!

MARY HARTMAN

Wesley Chapel

Thank An Educator

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I would like to take a moment to recognize the hard work and tremendous effort of our school employees. With more than 67,000 students in our district, Pasco County is the 13th largest district in the state.

Our dedicated educators work together to ensure that our students reach their highest potential. Every day, they work their hardest to equip our students with the skills needed for success.

Pasco students succeed because of the diligent efforts of our talented staff. Our community is truly fortunate to have a team of such highly skilled professionals working with our children.

Too often, the work of educators is a thankless one, yet the positive impact they make on our community and in the lives of students they serve is immeasurable. They are building a strong foundation for success, one child at a time.

I'd like to remind everyone to take a moment to thank the educators in their lives and let them know how greatly their remarkable contributions are valued.

HEATHER FIORENTINO

Land O' Lakes

Objectionable Headline

I find your headline, "Family Dealt 'Tragic Loss'" (May 6), demeaning and insulting to a grieving family.

Perhaps someone should review the rules of punctuation. I was taught to use this simple test and question whether this was what you intended to imply: The man took his "wife" into the nearest motel.

JULIET BARTON

Zephyrhills

The writer, a businessman, served as honorary mayor in 1994-95. The writer is superintendent of Pasco County public schools.

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